The Tower Of London was built by William The Conqueror with the intention of cowering the local population. It remained a dread location right into the 1930s, when it, briefly, became a place of fun.

Following William’s victory at Hastings in 1066, he moved swiftly to consolidate his position as King William I of England by building the first of many imposing castles, right on the banks of London’s River Thames. The Normans were great builders — responsible also for many of England’s fine cathedrals — and all their skill and energy went into the building of a mighty tower — originally known as the White Tower — which acted both as London’s first royal palace and a symbol of the conqueror’s authority and might. William never saw the building completed, as it took 200 years.

Over the intervening 900 years the tower has constantly been added to and altered and is, today, one of the most famous and best preserved historic buildings in the world.

The Tower of London is best known for the famous prisoners it has held, including Queen Elizabeth I. Many of these were subsequently sent to their death. Most of these were beheaded with an axe on Trinity Green, now just across the road from the tower. After execution, their heads were stuck on a spike on London Bridge, where the carrion crows would pick out its eyes, as a warning to others. One of the most famous victim was Sir Thomas More, who opposed Henry VIII’s split with the Catholic Church during his attempts to divorce his first wife. Fortunately, More’s daughter, Mary Roper, managed to smuggle his head out of London and it lies to this day in a church in Canterbury, Kent.

Two of Henry’s six wives were also consigned to the tower and oblivion. These were Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. In 1603, Sir Walter Raleigh founder of the US states of Carolina and Virginia, was held a prisoner for thirteen years, charged with plotting against King James I and subsequently executed at Westminster.

During the time Sir Walter Raleigh was a prisoner, another famous prisoner, Guy Fawkes, arrived. He was caught in the act of attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in the so called Gunpowder Plot. Fawkes was hung and, whilst still alive his entrails were cut out and his body cut into quarters.

The most recent prisoner to inhabit the tower and meet their death was James Joyce, also known as Lord Haw Haw. He worked for the Nazis during World War Two, broadcasting taunting messages in an attempt to undermine the morale of the British. After the war he was imprisoned in the tower prior to his trial for treason and subsequently executed by hanging.

These days, the tower’s grim history and the presence of the Crown Jewels ensure it is a magnet for tourists, where they enjoy the sight of the Yeoman Warders — the so called “Beefeaters” in their colorful uniforms.

Back in the 1930s the tower enjoyed a brief interlude as “London-By-Sea”. This was achieved by dumping sand on the banks of the river immediately in front of the tower, much to the delight of the local children , who really thought they were at the sea side. The fact that this artificial beach was right by the infamous Traitor’s Gate, the arrival point by barge for many of the tower’s unfortunate prisoners, did not seem to detract from their fun.

Copyright 2007 Jon Michael and LondonVacationSecrets.com